Community
12 August, 2026
Yass swimmers to enjoy extended pool season
Yass swimmers will enjoy an extended season in 2026/27 following a pool service review.
Yass swimmers will enjoy an extended season in 2026/27 following a pool service review.
Yass Valley Council resolved at its July meeting to extend the season by another eight weeks and to make some minor changes to pool opening hours.
The Yass pool has traditionally opened from November 3 to April 2.
Following council’s decision it will open from October 5 this year to April 30, 2027 with a further report to be prepared for council’s consideration before the commencement of the 2027/28 season.
Opening hours will be extended by an additional 30 minutes for a significant part of the season.
It means swimmers will be able to take full advantage of heating infrastructure at the pool funded by the NSW Clubgrants program.
The heating infrastructure has been operational since January this year.
There will be no change to the opening dates at Yass Valley’s other public swimming pool, Binalong – although opening hours will also be extended by an additional 30 minutes.
Additional running costs for the Yass pool as a result of the extended season – expected to be in the vicinity of $51,000 – will be funded from council’s internally restricted Electricity Savings Reserves.
According to the Pool Service Review, Yass and Binalong Memorial pools continue to provide “significant social, recreational, health and community value” to the Yass Valley community despite operating at a significant deficit.
Operating expenditure for the two pools in 2025/26 was $686,309.42 against revenue of $162,799 – although this was described as “consistent with industry expectations for outdoor aquatic facilities, particularly in regional and rural settings”.
The report to be prepared for council’s consideration before the commencement of the 2027/28 season will look at the operational feasibility and financial viability of:
· a targeted shoulder-season operating model for the months of October and April, including afternoon-only opening hours;
· a partnership model involving qualified volunteer lifeguards to support shoulder-season operations; and
· a ‘Swim with a Buddy’ pilot program based on an operating model used by other regional councils.
Cr Alvaro Charry – who moved the motion that was adopted unanimously – described the 57 days to be added to the 2026/27 swimming season as an “impressive increase” and “something we should celebrate”.
Cr Adrian Cameron said he was reluctant to speak against the motion but was concerned about where the additional money was coming from.
He said the Electricity Savings Reserves were supposed to be used for environmentally friendly projects like solar panels and batteries.
Mayor Jasmin Jones said the fund was internally restricted “and we can use it however we want”.
Cr Fleur Flanery asked what would happen “if it gets really cold and no-one turns up” or if it gets really hot.
She questioned if council was in a position to change opening hours depending on weather conditions.
Staff responded that opening hours were already modified as required.
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